Final Thoughts

On this episode of Our American Stories, before it became a greasy icon or a late-night craving, the hamburger was an immigrant invention trying to make itself useful. German farmers working the fairgrounds needed something fast and portable, so someone tucked spiced beef between slices of bread, and the hamburger was born. It wasn’t fancy, but it worked. Then came Upton Sinclair, whose book The Jungle made the public retch and nearly killed the hamburger altogether. Only after White Castle stepped in to clean up its image did Americans start trusting it again. George Motz, the documentarian behind Burger America, walks us through how one modest sandwich clawed its way into our national identity.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, before it became a greasy icon or a late-night craving, the hamburger was an immigrant invention trying to make itself useful. German farmers working the fairgrounds needed something fast and portable, so someone tucked spiced beef between slices of bread, and the hamburger was born. It wasn&rsquo;t fancy, but it worked. Then came Upton Sinclair, whose book&nbsp;The Jungle&nbsp;made the public retch and nearly killed the hamburger altogether. Only after White Castle stepped in to clean up its image did Americans start trusting it again. George Motz, the documentarian behind&nbsp;Burger America, walks us through how one modest sandwich clawed its way into our national identity.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

Our American Stories tells stories that aren’t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we’ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit, and be inspired by our stories.

Our American Stories

How the Hamburger Became an American Staple

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/a1134c95-e94a-41ed-8454-b3ba0066e866/transcript

Advertisement